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SUBJECT:	Semi-OT AAJ Interview: Eberhard Weber, Positive Pragmatism Back to Subjects
djbinder Feb 04 2013 at 7:17 AM	An interview with Eberhard Weber, today at All About Jazz. Since a massive stroke in 2007, the German bassist has been unable to play his instrument - the custom-designed, five-string electric double bass that has helped define his sound and voice from early in his career. That hasn’t stopped him from releasing Résumé (ECM, 2013), however; an album of sourced material, taken from interlude solos performed on tour with Jan Garbarek between 1990 and 2007, that Weber then wrote around and, with the help of a couple guests on a handful of its dozen tracks, reshaped into standalone compositions. In the interview, Weber was ready to talk about the stroke and how it’s changed his life, but as tragic as this may seem - and, at the same time, he’s also lost his wife Maja (of nearly 43 years) in 2011 after a short battle with liver cancer - Weber remains optimistic about the future and unfailingly pragmatic. There’s no time to moan about the past for Weber; only time to consider what the future will bring. Read Eberhard Weber: Positive Pragmatism, today at All About Jazz: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43841
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thehague Feb 10 2013 at 12:45 AM	No problem, dj.
djbinder Feb 08 2013 at 9:30 PM	Thehague - I knew English was not your native tongue, which is why I hope you don’t mind my raising what I did in the interest of clarity. I know you meant only the best when it comes to Eberhard, of course. And thanks, Fred. Truly one of the most memorable interviews I’ve done in some time.
thehague Feb 08 2013 at 3:13 AM	John, these are the limitations of language (English is not my native tongue). I meant to say: his physical health is not up to par. But I agree: he has a strong will and in that sense he is a strong man. I’d like to add: his strength and perseverance are almost audible in his musicianship. He’s one of the very best out there and I sincerely hope he will be with us for many more years to come. Thanks again for mentioning Eberhard.
fredsimon Feb 07 2013 at 11:02 PM	Great interview, Dave! And really great to see Eberhard able to maintain optimism in the face of such tremendous hardship. Always one of my favorite composer/musicians and a huge influence on my music.
djbinder Feb 07 2013 at 9:29 PM	Thehague: maybe it’s cultural, but I’d not call Eberhard feeble. He may have some physical limitations, but I hope, in the piece, it comes across that spiritually he’s strong and optimistic. I, like you, love his work and his sound, and hope Garbarek’s engineer can rescue some more of his solo work from those tapes. Thanks for taking the time to write!
thehague Feb 07 2013 at 4:28 PM	Thanks John, it’s good to read EH is still there, although feeble. He’s one of the very best jazz bassists. Very particular and remarkable style, which you like or dislike. I always loved his sound.
djbinder Feb 06 2013 at 1:10 PM	Yes, naut, that would be Ring (ECM, 1974), where Eberhard was a guest with the quintet which also included Steve Swallow, Bob Moses and Mick Goodrick. Great record!
naut Feb 06 2013 at 4:55 AM	Thanks for the article. Like BobSmith says, Weber has been in my life for a long while. Wasn’t Eberhard on the first recording with Pat & Burton? btw, Resumé is a nice record too.
franksexton Feb 05 2013 at 9:12 AM	This speaks to the something about the human spirit that endures through anything. Thanks for posting this. For some reason I found myself contrasting this with the life of J.J. Johnson, the great jazz trombonist, who committed suicide rather than coninue dealing with his failing health.
BobSmith Feb 04 2013 at 11:15 AM	djbinder--Thank you for that article. I have deep admiration and respect for Mr. Weber as his music has been part of my life for many decades. God bless him.
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